Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In South Dakota and other States, it is quite tragic that incidents of Shaken Baby Syndrome continue to be reported. The simple and violent act of shaking a baby can result in serious brain damage and even death. Never – ever shake a baby for any reason. Whether it is done in fun, in anger or for discipline, a child’s brain and skull cannot withstand the force of an adult shaking the child. In Eagle Butte, South Dakota, it was reported by the Rapid City Journal that Nicholas Allan Rivers, age 30, pleaded guilty to criminal charges of assault resulting in bodily injury. The incident causing serious child personal injuries took place on May 4, 2009.
In Bartlesville, Oklahoma, a 4 year old suffered serious personal injuries in the form of a skull fracture. The boy also suffered bruises on his chest, upper shoulders, back, and legs. David Wymon Laird, faces criminal charges of child abuse. At first, Laird denied that he harmed the child but he later admitted to police, according to a news story, that boy was harmed when Laird was disciplining the child. The boy was transported to Tulsa’s Children’s Hospital where he was treated with these serious life threatening personal injuries.
A Spokane Washington child is expected to survive according to authorities despite being subjected to horrible child abuse and neglect. It was previously reported that doctors did not expect this child to survive. Some how, this child found the strength to hold on despite being a victim of flagrant child abuse at the hands of her father according to allegations made by police / prosecutors. Skyelynn Jamison is being treated at Sacred Heart Medical Center. According to Spokane Police, hospital officials are reporting that her condition is improving and she is expecting to survive. While she is surviving, it appears that she has suffered permanent life long injuries. She is on ventilator and is brain dead or has severe brain damage according to court documents. You can read more about this story at
In Slidell, Louisiana, a man was arrested and charged with the death of a 22 month old girl. As reported in the WWLTV News, the St. Tammany Sheriff’s office believes that Rubie Boland was shaken and assaulted by her babysitter at the time – Andrew Roberts (age 20).
In Houston, Texas, a family is grieving the death of 3 month old Kamron Kelly. Police believe that the mother’s boyfriend (Nathaniel Flowers) shook the baby which in turn caused injuries consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome. A neighbor had attempted to revive the baby after he was contacted by Nathaniel Flowers. During the CPR efforts, it was reported that Flowers attempted to leave the area or scene. The baby died two days after the incident after being in critical care at 
In Columbus, Ohio, a day care provider was arrested following injuries to a 6 month old girl under the care of the day care provider. The child suffered internal and brain injuries that may be inconsistent with a fall or other accidental cause. Cases like this can be challenging. Many questions or issues arise including the following:
Robert Owen’s eight year old daughter Kaylan came home from school the other day with some shocking news. She said that her teacher, Betty Levy, became annoyed when the child got up to wash her hands without permission, and pushed the girl’s head under the water until she couldn’t breathe, then pulled her head out of the sink and slammed her into a file cabinet. Kaylan said that the incident made her feel “really sad.”
A medical study in Pediatrics –